In the fall issue of the Rotman International Journal of Pension Management, Ed Waitzer, the Jarislowsky Dimma Mooney Chair in Corporate Governance at York University, Canada, argues the time has come for pension fund trustees and managers to lead rather than be dragged along. This article proposes a number of steps that can be taken to better align incentives and frame decision-making for longer-term perspectives.
Divesting from the oil sector has been a boon for La Caisse’s performance, as the Canadian pension giant says its energy investments have earned billions in value-add compared to the benchmark since the inception of its climate strategy. Head of sustainability Bertrand Millot unpacks the fund’s approach in an interview with Top1000funds.com.
Mass PRIM is involved in an MIT initiative to improve ESG with better data, ratings and ultimately products. Executive director and CIO, Michael Trotsky, explains how the ambiguity around ESG ratings creates acute challenges for investors trying to achieve both financial and social return.
AP4’s head of alternatives Jenny Askfelt Ruud discusses how the pension fund integrates sustainability in its alternatives portfolio which includes avoiding investments in some sectors in line with its decarbonisation strategy and investing in sustainability themes by finding companies that are driving the transition with new technologies and services.
Policy makers response is the next pivotal step in sustainable investmen according to Victor Verberk, CIO fixed income and sustainability at Robeco. He predicts that policy makers reaction will appear via taxes or import tariffs with a “devastating impact” on companies that will create winners and losers.
Portfolio alignment is a hot topic and key area of focus for the TCFD and COP26 private finance team. But what is it really telling us and how will it influence investment decisions?
Asset owners’ seeking to achieve net zero in their infrastructure allocations should embark on detailed strategic planning, set interim targets and ensure transparent insight and regular reporting. Strong leadership and clear governance frameworks are also essential - all the while fulfilling fiduciary responsibility to seek superior long-term returns.
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